Middle School Agriculture Education

Middle School Agriculture Education

Nutrition, history, environmental science, economics, literature, art and math, community service – the world of agriculture is a rich and diverse field for interdisciplinary studies, especially in middle school!

Teachers of middle school students know that this high energy group can be especially motivated to investigate, build, demonstrate and display their passions for the planet and their communities. Incorporating ag and natural resources curriculum is a powerful way to engage motivated students!

Middle School Teacher Resources

Teachers of middle school students know that this high energy group can be especially motivated to investigate, build, demonstrate and display their passions for the planet and their communities. Incorporating ag and natural resources curriculum is a powerful way to engage motivated students!

Below are a list of organizations that provide free curricular resources. If you have questions about additional middle school resources, please contact Peggy Eppig at peggig@maefonline.com.

Delmarva Poultry Industry Resources

The Delmarva Poultry Industry provides classroom materials all about the poultry industry. From the life-cycle of a chicken to environmental stewardship, this curriculum offers insight into what it’s like to be a poultry farmer. To learn more about the program, please click the link below.

Natural Resource Education Links

Want to learn more about natural resource education in Maryland? There are many organizations that provide curriculum training, field trip opportunities, and lesson plans for middle school students. Take a look at some of the programs below and stay tuned for new MAEF curricular materials coming in 2020 for middle school educators!

The Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE)

MAEOE is a partnering organization that promotes sustainable practices in schools throughout Maryland. MAEOE runs and organizes that Maryland Green Schools Program. Through this program, schools go through an application process to make their school more environmentally friendly. This organization has fantastic resources on its website that educate about the importance of sustainability in Maryland!

Department of Natural Resources: Project Wild!

This set of curricula educates PreK-12 students about natural resources and environmental education. Each curriculum is aligned with many curricular standards to meet the needs of your classroom. DNR hold training sessions for Maryland teachers at little to no cost to the the teacher. To find out more about these opportunities, please visit the following link:

Project Learning Tree

Project Learning Tree is a program that educates K-12 students about tree diversity, conservation, and career opportunities in environmental science and biology. Periodic training is offered to teachers on a yearly basis. For more information about the program, training dates, and curricular resources, please visit the link below.

Leopold Education Project

This nationally acclaimed professional development workshop introduces students and teachers to the work, life and legacy of Aldo Leopold, Father of Conservation Agriculture and the Land Ethic. This one-day workshop is based upon Leopold’s most well-known book, A Sand County Almanac, that all participants receive, along with a curriculum guide and supplementary materials. Through literature, observation and engagement with the working landscape, and the history of conservation policy and practice, the LEP provides teachers with ideas for conservation, sustainability and stewardship education. In addition, MAEF provides consultation in how to adapt the curriculum to particular needs and audiences, K-12. Perfect for designing Environmental Literacy experiences on campus or off!

Careers in Agriculture

MAEF strives to provide resources that allow for the exploration of careers in agriculture and can connect you with the professionals who are currently employed in those careers. If you have specific questions or would like to be put in contact with an agricultural professional, please reach out to peppig@maefonline.com.

Looking for Career-Focused Lessons?

Check out the list of websites below for some curricular resources and projects to implement career awareness in your classrooms!

Check out the list of websites below for some curricular resources and projects to implement career awareness in your classrooms!

Websites:

Ag and the Bay

Students venture out to Swan Harbor Farm in Havre de Grace, Maryland, home of the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation! Spend a full or half day exploring how a working landscape is managed to protect the Chesapeake Bay.

Depending on the time of year, students may participate in soil testing, forest buffer plantings, a wildlife inventory, water quality testing, pollinator surveys, cover crop assessments, nutrient management planning, and career connections. Based in issues investigation and STEM, this program can also be adapted for any waterfront farm that utilizes best practices for a healthy Bay, interested in hosting student groups.

A perfect outing for an Environmental Literacy experience!

Ag and the Bay can also be adapted for a professional development experience – please call or email for more details.